chambers



Patented Sept. l3, I898.

E. J. CHAMBERS.

METALUC TIRE FUR WHEELS.

(Application filed. Dec. 4, 1897.)

NlTlED drains PATENT rrron.

EDWARD J. CHAMBERS, OF WOODSTOCK, CANADA.

METALLIC TIRE FOR WHEELS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 610,622, dated September 13, 1898.

Application filed December 4, 1897. Serial No. 660,762. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD JAMES CHAM- BERs,blaoksmith, of \VOOClStOCl,ll1 the county of Oxford and Province of Ontario, Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Metallic Tires for Wheels; and I hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

The objects of this invention are to provide the felly of a wheelwith a tire consisting of a plurality of independent abutting sections of spring metal; to detachably connect the tire-sections to the felly in such a manner that their lateral and longitudinal displacement will be entirely prevented, and to cover the joint between the tire-sections with shields of spring metal adapted to embrace the sides of the tire-sections; and the invention consists, essentially, of providing the felly with a central radial flange, to the perimeter of which is fitted a buffer concentric with the felly and equally overhanging each side of the flange, a series of independent abutting sections of spring metal fitted to the felly and held in position by the compression of their opposite meeting edges against the sides of the radial flange, a plurality of independent shields of spring metal arranged to cover the joints between the tire-sections, held in position by the compression of their opposite meeting edges against thespring-sections, and an outer covering of rubber or other suitable material to incase the tire-sections and shields, the whole device being hereinafter set forth, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of a section of a wheel, felly, and tire. Fig. 2 is a similar view without the shields. Fig. 3 represents a cross-section on the lines a a, Fig.1. Fig. 4 is asimilar view on the lines I) b, Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of the joint-protecting shields. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one of the tire-sections. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a section of the felly with the fabric or rubber apron for pro tecting the ends of the tire-section.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts throughout the specification and drawings.

A represents the felly, the perimeter a of which is preferably concaved.

B represents a flange extending radially from the middle of the perimeter a. The flange B may be of any suitable depth and width; but it is preferable to have it from one-half to'five-eighths of an inch in depth and three-eighths of an inch in width. While it is preferable when possible to make the flange B integral with the felly A, it is not desired to confine the invention to this construction, as the flange B may be made separate from the felly A and secured to it by glue, screws, or other fastening mediums.

0 represents an apron of rubber or fabric material connected to the felly A and project ing beyond each side of the flange B. When the flange is separably formed from the felly, the apron O is placed on the rim and bound between the rim and the flange, the edges of the apron in this case projecting equally beyond both sides of the flange.

D represents a buffer connected to the perimeter of the flange B and concentric with the perimeter of the felly A. The buffer D projects evenly beyond each side of the flange B and has its perimeter convexed to meet the under side of the two sections when depressed, while its edges are preferably opposed to the edges of the felly A. This arrangement of the buffer and felly forms a channel at each side of the tire concentric with the perimeter of the felly.

F F represent the tire-sections, which are preferably made of tempered spring metal. Each tire-section F is substantially circular in cross-section and has its ends f f curled, as shown in the drawings,to providea rounded gripping-surface for the opposite meeting edges of the tire-sections when in position. The ends ff are so rounded as to form an annular channel at each side of the tire-sections when assembled to receive the edges of the apron 0 when pressed therein, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. When the tire-sections F F are being assembled to form the tire, the ends f f of each tire-section are expanded to permit of the tire-section being sprung over the bufier D and to allow of the longitudinal adjustment of the tire-sections when being moved into an abutting position against the edge of the next adjacent tiresection. When the tire-sections have been relieved of the expanding force, the ends ff spring together and tightly embrace the sides of the flange B, which embrace will prevent their separation from the felly under ordinary conditions. When the tire-sections have been assembled, the edges of the adjacent tire-sections will abut, and this abutment of the edges will prevent their longitudinal displacement. When the tire-sections are in position, they will form a substantially tubular ring securely and detachably fastened to the felly. The buffer D prevents the lateral displacement of the tire-sections, causes the accurate return of the tire-sections to their normal position after being flattened by the weight of the load upon the Wheel, and minimizes the liability of breakage of the tire-sections. The edges of the apron being folded or pressed into the channel formed by the curled ends of the tire-sections protect them against rust and other injury resulting from the action of moisture or dampness.

The tire-sections F F are incased by a covering,of rubber or other flexible material, and it is found advisable to protect the joints between the tire-sections by shields G G, of spring metal. These shields are of a slightlygreater diameter than the diameter of the tire-sections F F. Each shield G embraces two adjacent tire-sections F F and covers the joint bet-ween them. The opposite meeting edges of each shield G are folded back upon the body of the shield, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4 of the drawings, and the inner side of each shield G is provided with a clip H,which overlaps the inner face of two adjacent sections F F and prevents the displacement of the shield G. To incase the tire-sections and shields, a covering I, of rubber or other suitable material, is used. This cover when in position, with the aid of the felly, tightly incloses the several parts of the tire and is (preferably) secured in place by stitches J, passed through suitable openings K in the flange B. Although the covering I is shown in the drawings to be sewed or stitched to the felly, it is not advisable to confine the invention to this method of securing the covering in position, as it is possible to use other means whereby it may be fastened to the felly, such as fitting each edge of the felly with an annular groove and providing the edges of the covering with a continuous wire adapted to spring into the grooves of the felly when the covering is fitted in place. Other means, such as cementing the coveringto the felly, may be employed.

A tire constructed on this principle will have the strength and durability of an ordinary metallic tire and all the advantages and properties of a pneumatic tire.

As it is possible to dispense with the metallic shields, I do not confine myself to their use in the tire.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a wheel the combination of a felly, having a central flange projecting radially from its perimeter, a tire consisting of aplurality of independent annular sections held in position by the compression of their opposite meeting edges against the sides of the radial flange, a plurality of shields to protect the joints of the tire-sections, consisting of a semidivided annular plate to embrace two adjacent tire-sections, and a clip connected to the inner side of the annular plate to embrace the inner faces of two adjacent tire-sections, substantially as specified.

2. In a wheel the combination of a felly, having a central flange projecting radially from its perimeter, a tire consisting of a plurality of independent annular sections held in position by the compression of their opposite meeting edges against the sides of the radial flange, an apron connected to the felly extending beyond the sides of the flange to protect the opposite meeting ed ges'of the tiresections, a plurality of shields to protect the joints of the tire sections, consisting of a semidivided annular plate to embrace the adjacent tire-sections, and a clip connected to the inner side of the annular plate to embrace the inner faces of two adjacent tire-sections, substantially as specified.

3. In a wheel the combination of a felly, having a central flange projecting radially from its perimeter, a tire consisting of aplurality of independent annular sections held in position by the compression of their opposite meeting edges against the sides of the radial flange, an apron connected to the felly extending beyond the sides of the flange to protect the opposite meeting edges of the tiresect-ions, a tubular cover to inclose the tiresections, apron, and flange, a plurality of shields to protect the joints of the tire-sections, consisting of a semidivided annular plate to embrace the adjacent tire-sections, and a clip connected to the inner side of the annular plate to embrace the inner faces of two adjacent tire-sections, substantially as specified.

4.. In a wheel the combination of a felly, having a central flange projectingradially from its perimeter, a tire consisting of a plurality of independent annular sections held in position by the compression of their opposite meeting edges against the sides of the radial flange, a buffer connected to the perimeter of the flange and overhanging its sides to assist in preventing the displacement of the tire-sections, and to assist in protecting them against breakageby compression,apluralityof shields to protect the joints of the tire-sections, consisting of a semidivided annular plate to embrace the adjacent tire-sections, and a clip connected to the inner side of the annular plate to embrace the inner faces of two adjacent tire-sections, substantially as specified.

5. In a wheel the combination of a felly,

having a central flange projecting radially from its perimeter, a tire consisting of a plurality of independent annular sections held in position by the compression of their opposite meeting edges against the sides of the radial flange, an apron connected to the felly extending beyond the sides of the flange to protect the opposite meeting edges of the tiresections, a buffer connected to the perimeter of the flange and overhanging its sides to assist in preventing the displacement of the tire-sections, and to assist in protecting them against breakage by compression, a plurality of shields to protect'the joints of the tire-sections, consisting of a semidivided annular plate to embrace two adjacent tire-sections, and a clip connected to the inner side of the annular plate to embrace the inner faces of two adjacent tire-sections, substantially as specified.

6. In a wheel the combination of a felly, having a central flange projecting radially from its perimeter, a tire consisting of a plurality of independent annular sections held in position by the compression of their opposite meeting edges against the sides of the radial flange, an apron connected to the felly extending beyond the sides of the flange to protect the opposite meeting edges of the tiresections, a tubular cover to inclose the tire-sections, apron, and flange, a buffer connected to the perimeter of the flange and overhanging its sides to assist in preventing the displacement of the tiresections, and to assist in protecting them against breakage by compression, a plurality of shields to protect the joints of the tire-sections, consisting of a semidivided annular plate to embrace two adjacent tire-sections, and a clip connected to the inner side of the annular plate to embrace the inner faces of two adjacent tiresections, substantially as specified.

7. A Wheel embracing in its construction a felly, a central flange projecting radially from the perimeter of the felly, a tire consisting of a plurality of independent annular sections, the opposite meeting edges of which press against the sides of the radial flange, and by their compression hold the annular sections in position on the rim, and a plurality of shields to protect the joints of the tire-sections, each consisting of a semidivided annular plate, adapted to embrace tWo adjacent tire-sections, substantially as specified.

8. In a wheel the combination of a felly, having a central flange projecting radially from its perimeter, and a tire consisting of a plurality of independent annular sections held in position by the compression of their opposite meeting edges against the sides of the radial flange, an apron connected to the felly extending beyond the sides of the flange to protect the opposite meeting edges of the tire-sections, and a plurality of shields to protect the joints of the tire-sections, each consisting of a semidivided annular plate, adapted to embrace two adjacent tire-sections, substantially as specified.

9. In a wheel the combination of a felly, having a central flange projecting radially from its perimeter, a tire consisting of a plurality of independent annular sections held in position by the compression of their opposite meeting edges against the sides of the radial flange, an apron connected to the felly extending beyond the sides of the flange to protect the opposite meeting edges of the tiresections, a tubular cover to inclose the tiresections, apron, and flange, and a plurality of shields to protect the joints of the tiresections, each consisting of a semidivided annular plate, adapted to embrace two adjacent tire-sections, substantially as specified.

10. In a wheel the combination of a felly, having a central flange projecting radially from its perimeter, a tire consisting of a plurality of independent annular sections held in position by the compression of their opposite meeting edges against the sides of the radial flange, a butler connected to the perimeter of the flange and overhanging its sides to assist in preventing the displacement of the tire-sections, and to assist in protecting them against breakage by compression, and a plurality of shields to protect the joints of the tire-sections, each consisting of a semidivided annular plate, adapted to embrace two adjacent tire-sections, substantially as specified.

11. In a Wheel the combination of a felly, having a central flange projecting radially from its perimeter, a tire consisting of a plurality of independent annular sections held in position by the compression of their opposite meeting edges against the sides of the radial flange, an apron connected to the felly extending beyond the sides of the flange to protect the opposite meeting edges of the tiresections, a buffer connected to the perimeter of the flange and overhanging its sides to assist in preventing the displacement of the tire-sections, and to assist in protecting them against breakage by compression, and a plurality of shields to protect the joints of the tire-sections, each consisting of a semidivided annular plate, adapted to embrace two adjacent tire-sections, substantially as specified.

12. In a Wheel the combination of a felly, having a central flange projecting radially from its perimeter, a tire consisting of a plurality of independent annular sections held in position by the compression of their opposite meeting edges against the sides of the radial flange, an apron connected to the felly extending beyond the sides of the flange to protect the opposite meeting edges of the tire-- sections, a tubular cover to inclose the the sections, apron, and flange, abufferconnected to the perimeter of the flange and overhanging its sides to assist in preventing the dis placement of the tire-sections, and to assist in protecting them against breakage by compression, and a plurality of shields to protect the joints of the tire-sections, each consisting of a semidivided annular plate, adapted to embrace two adjacent tire-sections, substantially as specified.

WVoodstock, November 18, 1897.

E. J. CHAMBERS. In presence of--= O. B. LEE, J. G. WALLAcE. 

